He said: “All that’s missing is the Champions League – and that’s next on my list.”

For good measure, Defoe also boasts scoring on his debut for every club he has played for.

First he scored on his West Ham debut in a 1-0 League Cup win over Walsall in September 2000 before being shipped out on loan to Bournemouth, where his first game brought a goal in a 2-1 defeat at Stoke.

When joining Tottenham in January 2004, he scored in a 4-3 FA Cup win over Portsmouth. And after his move to Portsmouth in January 2008, he immediately netted in a 1-1 home draw against Chelsea. Defoe was substituted after his Wembley goalfest on Friday as he twisted his ankle as the third went in.

But his partnership with Wayne Rooney is assured of a long run – and Fabio Capello is desperate for him to be fit to face Switzerland in Basel on Tuesday.

Defoe said: “I went back on the pitch at the end to congratulate my team-mates – but also to grab the match ball.

“To score three and win is a special night.

“I scored three hat-tricks last season but it’s really special to do it for your country.

“Now I need to do it in the Champions League too. That would be nice.

“I’ve always said I’ll work hard and try to improve. I always stay behind at the end to try to make myself better.

“I’ve always done that but my game has changed over the years.

“Now I’m playing with great players and, because of that, I get chances.

“It is just a case of taking them and I managed that against Bulgaria. I’m really delighted.

“What happened during the World Cup was a disappointment. We didn’t feel like we were ready to come home but I think it is important how you pick yourself up from that.

“You have to put things right and maybe we had a point to prove here.

“We moved the ball around well, created a lot of chances. I thought the performance was brilliant.

“A lot happened in the summer and there was pressure – but you have to try to forget it.

“It’s been there at the back of the mind but the way we played was brilliant. And the system changed a little bit.”

Defoe is hopeful his partnership with Rooney can now become a fixture as the pair dove-tailed superbly. And Defoe added: “I was up front on my own and Wayne was just behind so he could get on the ball and influence the game. And he did that.

“I don’t think I have started that many games with Wayne. But the more games you start together the better a partnership becomes.

“When Martin Jol was manager at Spurs, I didn’t play with Robbie Keane that much – and it was difficult.

“But then you start to play with a partner regularly it comes together. Everything just seemed to click.

“Before games I have just been focusing on my movement.

“It feels right. And I’m getting in positions where I am very likely to score.

“I’ve always said I believe I will score if I get the chances. In this game every time I moved my team-mates seemed to find me – and I was able to finish it off.

“I’ll always get chances when I play in this team and I’m feeling so confident – now I just want to keep it going.”

ENGLAND HITMEN

★AFTER his hat-trick against Bulgaria, Jermain Defoe now has 15 goals for England – but he’s still behind Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch.